The proportion of phenotypic variation in a population attributable to genetic differences.
Broad-sense heritability is genetic variance divided by total phenotypic variance; narrow-sense only counts additive effects and predicts response to selection. It applies to populations and environments, not individuals.
A trait can have high heritability and still be affected strongly by environment changes.
The proportion of phenotypic variation in a population attributable to genetic differences.
Heritability is one of the 54 topics in Genetics. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Polygenic Inheritance, Genetic Variation, Quantitative Trait Loci.
Height heritability is about 80 percent in well-nourished populations, but nutrition still shifts average height.
Work through the Beginner topics in Genetics first, such as Heredity, Gene, Allele, then return to Heritability. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Heritability are Polygenic Inheritance, Genetic Variation, Quantitative Trait Loci, Genetic Drift. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Heritability. To practise the whole of Genetics, use the Genetics quiz.
Heritability: The proportion of phenotypic variation in a population attributable to genetic differences. Polygenic Inheritance: A trait controlled by many genes producing continuous variation, such as height and skin colour. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Polygenic Inheritance and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Genetics quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
A trait controlled by many genes producing continuous variation, such as height and skin colour.
🧬 GeneticsDifferences in DNA among individuals, arising from mutation, recombination and sexual reproduction.
🧬 GeneticsRegions of the genome statistically associated with variation in continuous traits.
🧬 GeneticsRandom changes in allele frequency that have strong effects in small populations, including the founder effect and bottleneck.
🧬 Genetics